London is notorious for its high property prices, for both buyers and renters. Even so, the prospect of a fulfilling career, high wage, and all of London’s entertainment on your doorstep are understandably attractive to many people, which is why we see so many continue to look for a place to live in the nation’s capital city.
Thankfully, there are still a few areas in London that can offer more affordable property, helping to make moving to London much more realistic for a lot of people.
With this in mind, we cast our eagle eyes over some of the city’s more affordable areas, using the latest data from the UK house price index and London Rents Map.
So, from least to most cheap let’s get started with investigating our affordable areas
Hounslow in West London boasts some of the best transport links in London. Three major roads – the A4, A30, and A312 – connect to other areas of the country. There is a comprehensive local bus network and also regular Tube and rail services to other areas of London. Heathrow airport is also close by, for those looking to jet-set internationally.
Hounslow is culturally diverse, with nearly half of the population born abroad. The borough is particularly family-focused and has recently seen major funding for development to improve educational and recreational facilities. The area is already home to a great many green spaces, including 15 parks that have been awarded the Green Flag award.
Enfield is the most northern London borough. It’s close by to the M25 and North Circular roads, as well as offering quick Tube rides to central London (about 30 minutes).
Enfield is particularly popular with families and has plenty of family-friendly activities on offer, such as a trampoline park and indoor go-karting. Green open space makes up around two-thirds of Enfield, which includes public parks and farms. Redevelopment projects across Enfield are breathing new life into the area, with new homes, a major shopping centre and leisure facilities being constructed.
Lewisham, in south-east London, has risen in popularity in recent years, especially among young families. In 2022, the borough won the London Borough of Culture award, thanks to its many music, dance, art, and film events and venues.
As well as cultural offerings, Lewisham also boasts many parks and a major shopping centre, as well as independent boutiques. The area is well connected with train and tube stations, as well as being close to the A20, A2 and South Circular roads.
Sutton might be the fourth cheapest area to buy a house, but it actually has the cheapest average rent. Located in south-west London, this peaceful borough is one of the safest in the city, with the lowest crime rate.
Sutton is near to the Surrey Downs, offering access to beautiful panoramic views and open space that you won’t find elsewhere in London. Whilst Sutton doesn’t have any Underground stations, it’s well connected with National Rail services as well as bus routes. Journeys from Sutton to Victoria station take only around 30 minutes, with underground services connecting to other parts of London from there.
Greenwich, in south-east London, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the home of the Prime Meridian, on which all Coordinated Universal Time is based. Its rich history is certainly a draw for residents but it also has a lot else to offer.
Greenwich is popular with both young professionals and families, with easy commuting links to the rest of the city. The area also provides an abundance of quality restaurants, pubs, and independent boutiques for shopping, as well as major retailers.
Havering is the most eastern London borough and is largely suburban, with many large areas of protected open space. As such, it provides a calm lifestyle, although the area is set to see an influx of residents after the new Crossrail opening.
Havering is set to see major redevelopment, with new homes and improved cycle routes in the principal town of Romford. It already boasts fantastic shopping facilities, with the fourth largest shopping centre in the city, as well as a famous market that has been running for centuries.
Newham is around five miles east of the City of London and is home to the London City Airport. The area saw a lot of regeneration as one of the host boroughs of the 2012 Summer Olympics and is still home to the London Stadium.
As well as sporting facilities, the area also has great shopping on offer, like the Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre, the largest urban shopping mall in the UK by land area. Newham also boasts many fantastic dining opportunities, including major chains and independent restaurants offering authentic cuisines.
Croydon, in south London, is hugely popular with commuters thanks to its low property prices, low cost of living and fantastic transport links. Whilst it has no Underground stations, it’s well serviced by National Rail routes, as well as bus and tram services. It’s also close to the M25 and M23, linking the area to other parts of London and further afield to the south coast.
Croydon is well known for its array of bars and restaurants, with a popular and vibrant nightlife. There is also plenty of open space for those looking for more peaceful activities.
Bexley, in south-east London, is a quiet borough that’s popular with both families and retirees alike. It has over 100 parks, making it one of the greenest areas in London, and it also has a popular riverside walking route along the Thames.
People in Bexley are community-orientated, which lends the area to being one of the safest in the city. There is a major shopping centre in Bexley, as well as smaller, independent stores offering local wares. Whilst the nightlife is on the quiet side, there are still plenty of great restaurants and pubs to keep people busy.
Barking and Dagenham, around 9 miles east of Central London, is a borough with a strong sense of community amongst residents. It’s part of the Thames Gateway, an area in London that has been designated as a national priority for urban regeneration. Barking Town Square is just one example of the regeneration efforts, which has space for festivals, outdoor events and new homes.
This well-connected borough is definitely up and coming, with development projects on the horizon to improve cycling routes, shopping facilities, and leisure offerings. The area also boasts great transport links. A journey to Central London takes around half an hour by tube, and there are plenty of National Rail and Overground services connecting to the rest of London too.
As you can see, there are many affordable areas in the city if you’re looking to buy a new property. Britannia Ryans is a reliable, family-run London removals company that has helped people move house for over 35 years. We have excellent local knowledge and our highly-trained and professional team can help you with every aspect of your home or business move across all areas of London.
For more information about our London removals, please contact us on 0208 328 3378 or email britannia@ryansmove.com, or use the Quick Quote box for a free, no-obligation quote.
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